Glasgow Caledonian University - The School of Health and Life Sciences

MSc in Pharmacology

From inhalers that ease breathing to pills and injections that destroy cancer, pharmacology affects billions of people around the world as a powerful force for good. In our MSc Pharmacology programme, you’ll discover how to harness that power to save and improve countless lives.

At GCU, you'll develop a comprehensive understanding of the science behind drugs and their effects on the human body – and master the cutting-edge techniques, laboratory bench skills and critical thinking approaches you need to succeed.

As part of our thriving, diverse and globally networked research community, you’ll investigate how the body works and what goes wrong when a disease strikes – and learn how drugs are engineered to reverse and even prevent a wide range of medical conditions.

You’ll get a world-class education through a variety of teaching methods – including lectures, seminars, practical laboratory classes and a laboratory-based research project. The programme prepares you for industry and academia alike, whether you choose employment or pursue your PhD.

Graduate prospects

With an MSc Pharmacology, you’ll have the skills and knowledge you need to choose from multiple career paths.

Research pharmacology: Many of our graduates go on to work in laboratories at universities, government research institutes or in industry, conducting experiments to gain new insight into disease and developing life-changing new drugs.

Clinical pharmacology: After drugs are developed in the lab, clinical pharmacologists take the next step – focusing on an application for human use. Our MSc Pharmacology prepares you for the additional training required to pursue a career in this field.

Pharmacology teaching: You might also choose to work at a university, college lecture theatre or laboratory – sharing what you've learned with the next generation.

What you will study

Skills for Professional Practice in Bioscience 1; Skills for Professional Practice in Bioscience 2; Current Topics in Pharmacology; Drugs and Cellular Communication; Advanced Topics in Neuropharmacology; Biomolecular studies; Drugs and Disease; Systems Pharmacology; and MSc Research Project.

Entry requirements

All entry requirements listed here should be used as a guide and represent the minimum required to be considered for entry. Applicants who are made a conditional offer of a place may be asked to achieve more than is stated.

Each application to GCU is considered on an individual basis. If you do not have the typical academic entry qualifications, but can demonstrate relevant work experience and/or credits from recognised professional bodies, you may be eligible to enter this course via the University's Recognition of Prior Learning scheme.

International pathways

If you do not meet the English language requirements, you may be eligible for the English for University Study programme.

Fees and funding

The tuition fees you pay are mostly determined by your fee status. What is my student fee status?

Tuition fees 2018/19

Home: £5500

RUK: £5500

EU: £5500

International: £12600

If you commence your studies in September 2018 or January 2019, these are the annual or module fees that apply to the duration of your course; however, fees are subject to change. For full details on how fees may change read our fees and refund policy.

Additional costs

In addition to course tuition fees, you may encounter additional costs during your time at University.

Scholarships

We provide high-quality education for a fair price; as the University for the Common Good, we are committed to offering accessible higher education for talented students by keeping our tuition fees low and providing a generous scholarship package of over £2.5 million per year.

If you have any questions or enquiries regarding scholarships available for 2018/19, please feel free to contact the student enquiries team.

International student start dates

For new international students, orientation events start on 15 September 2017. This extra time is specifically designed to assist new international students in settling into the UK and GCU prior to the start of general student induction and teaching.

There will be a whole host of fun and informative activities taking place during this period, including campus and city tours, as well as welcome events where you can meet other international students.

Assessment methods

We use a wide range of learning and teaching methods to ensure that you have both the necessary knowledge and understanding of business and management and a portfolio of intellectual and personal skills.

Each module on the programme uses its own learning, teaching and assessment strategy to achieve learning objectives. Assessment methods vary between modules and may include unseen examinations, class tests, essays, management reports, case studies, presentations, and group work.

Teaching methods

The learning and teaching methods we use to ensure that our programme is both vocationally relevant and academically challenging. Our approach is student-centred, practical, participative and relevant to the needs of employers.

We've moved away from the traditional teacher-centric learning to a more independent learning approach, where you are encouraged to develop critical thinking skills.